Интимен наръчник за блогъри

Love... #1

by Nick Spalding, Емилия Карастойчева (Translator)

Нещастието си търси компания – а да списваш блог е добра терапия, когато си закъсал.

Джейми:
От две години съм сам. Но мъжът не издържа дълго без добра жена до себе си.
Под „добра жена” имам предвид, разбира се, жена със сърдечен ритъм и без кожни заболявания, а „до себе си” означава – „върху него и съблечена”. Травмата от жестоката раздяла с Карла ме разочарова от нежния пол, ала опитайте се да вразумите глупавия ми пенис!

Лора:
Снощи потъпках и последната си искрица достойнство с гнусно деяние, което никога няма да успея да изкупя. Единственото ми оправдание е, че го направих, подтикната от необходимостта „да се върна в играта”. Напълно необяснимо е защо реших, че да „блудствам” с двайсет и девет годишен брокер с увиснали клепачи е най-уместният метод да го направя.
Не съм такова момиче все пак. Дори не бях целувала мъж преди третата среща.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Fiction, Humor, Comedy, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Nick Spalding is an author who, try as he might, can't seem to write anything serious.

Before becoming a full-time author, he worked in the communications industry, mainly in media and marketing. As talking rubbish for a living can get tiresome (for anyone other than a politician), he thought he'd have a crack at writing comedy fiction - with a very agreeable level of success so far, it has to be said. Nick is now a multimillion seller. This flabbergasts him every single day.

Nick is now in his fifties - and is rather annoyed at the universe about it, because it gave him no choice in the matter. He's also addicted to Thai food and roast potatoes (not together), loves Batman and Warhammer, and has a dreadful singing voice.

***

Find out more about Nick and his books at www.nickspalding.com

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not attempt to read this book:

1) In bed with somebody who is trying to sleep next to you or in bed if you have cats who try to sleep on top of you when you read
3) Are in a public place. On a train, in a waiting room or at work? Forget it
4) If you can not laugh at sex and or poop

Do read this book if:

1) You don't mind laughing out loud more than once (please note you may also have a few full on belly laughs, hence the reason the cats were not happy about me disturbing their sleep)
2) You have a good sense of humor and just really want a hilarious easy read

Needless to say I absolutely loved this book! Honestly found myself laughing so hard a few times that I had proper tears in my eyes and even my husband came to check on me to ask what I was reading and what was so funny. I have read another of Nick's books, Life... With No Breaks and I found it so enjoyable I knew I would love this. It did not disappoint. I fell in love with Jamie, it was so refreshing to also read the unfolding love story from his point of view. Too many books are solely from the woman's point of view, this made for a nice change to see he was not afraid of the feelings he was having and in fact embraced them (long story short, it was good to see the man do a little of the chasing for once...)

I have already purchased Love... And Sleepless Nights and plan on starting it right away.

[Tracy P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hysterical look at the points of view from "both sides" and how differently men and woman perceive the same experience when meeting, on their first date, and the whole dance that follows. Some of the scenarios had me bent over laughing. For example, when Jamie has a date with a beautiful Swedish woman in a coffee shop he is so overwhelmed by her beauty that he makes a complete fool of himself by accidentally mentioning masturbation, being a try hard and ordering a coffee drink with so many extras it is not drinkable, and much more. Then there is Laura, who is at a speed dating gathering and cannot concentrate on anything other than her excruciatingly itchy backside and making a break to the bathroom to ease the itch. What follows is much more hilarity from both when they meet and begin the dating dance with each other.
Narrators Heather Wilds and Napoleon Ryan are beyond superb as the comedic voices for 'Love... From Both Sides'.

[Rossy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half had me laughing so hard! I actually laughed out loud on unsuitable places.
The second half was still funny, but more "cute-funny".
Oh, the world of dating...!

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love... From Both Sides was a really cute book. This is my third one from Nick Spalding and I think I'm in love! Every book had made me laugh, smile, or do something completely strange that everyone in my judges me hardcore.

Jamie and Laura were completely lovable. I honestly couldn't stop laughing when I heard their POV's. They were so freaking funny. I totally get that the dating scene can be beyond awkward.. especially if it's blind dates. I've never been on one.. but I dated the same guy for like a lifetime and even now, when I'm single, I'm sure I would get nervous for a date. Both parties can be nervous and say or do the strangest things.. which would totally be me if I'm being completely honest.

Jamie and Laura go through their fair share of awkward dates and encounters with each other. I laughed so hard at their dinner scene with fajitas.. because it's probably super relatable. I feel like first dates are so completely awkward. Disasters throughout the book but I was so freaking happy that Jamie and Laura accepted another date between them.

Again, I loved these two. They were perfect together and they laughed when things were so awkward and loved each other during their intimate moments. The ending was super cute and definitely made me happy.

Overall, I loved this book and I honestly can't wait to dive into another book by this author!

[Rose Strong (Kljuc za knjigu Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Početak ove knjige je komičan, kad čitate prema sredini sve se jače smijuljite, a onda tamo, na 125. stranici doslovno umrete od smijeha. Nemojte sad slučajno okrenuti na str.125 prije nego što ste ptočitali onih 124 prije nje.
Ova knjiga je zapravo dokaz da će ljubav zasjeniti svaku manu. Mogli bismo ispisati cijele liste njihovih i naših loših strana, a na kraju dana, shvatili bismo da se volimo upravo zato jer smo te mane upoznali i prihvatili.



Ako ste kupili ovaj roman, uložili ste u priču koja će vas svaki puta ispočetka nasmijati, prisjetiti vas kako je to biti osoba od krvi i mesa i na kraju, koliko smo sretni kada napokon pronađemo našeg "nekoga" kojeg smo cijeli život tražili
"iako je upravo prdnuo tako glasno da bi mogao probuditi susjedovog psa".

Cijelu recenziju pročitajte ovdje: http://kljuczaknjigu.blogspot.hr/2018...

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice easy read.

For the first few chapter the 'laugh out loud' tag line was spot on. As the book goes on its not so laugh out loud, but its likeable, and a nice easy read. I guess it would be described as an airport trash book.

[Villi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Отдавна не съм се смяла така!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rekla bih da je ovo najsmješnija knjiga koju sam dosad pročitala. Da mogu dati više od 5 zvjezdica, dala bih jer ne samo da me nasmijala već ima toplinu koju volim kod ljubavnih priča. Topla, topla preporuka.

[Catherine Victor Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious

You can never go wrong with a Nick Spalding novel for a good laugh and this is no exception.
Written from the 2 main character's perspectives: Jamie's blog and Laura's diary 9we learn about each others disastrous love lives until they literally run into each other and some omg moments ensues.
Easy to read, laugh out loud and just enjoyable. The perfect palate cleanser.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this book because it was cheap on Amazon. In the beginning I wasn't particularly engaged with the story but I'm glad I kept going. There were several points where I actually laughed out loud. I can't tell the last time a book has made me laugh out loud - in public no less!
This is not literary genius and there are editing misses. However, this is a very entertaining read and a cute story. I will happily read the sequel.

[Nina Draganova · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020
Какво по-хубаво да започнеш деня със смях и добро настроение. Не знам да има по-добро лекарство от това.
Продължавам със смешната серия.Добре ,че вместо с тоалетна хартия съм се запасила с любими книги.

2017
Имах нужда от чист смях, без да му мисля :)

Абсолютно невъзможно е да спреш да четеш книгата, веднъж започнеш ли я и освен това, се смееш така, че се чуваш надалеч :)

Разтоварваща , свежа и щура история.

Подейства ми като хапче за щастие .

[Elise Harbud · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book for a work book club and I fucking hated it - the only redeeming quality was that I got to berate it to my colleagues

[Ashleigh Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my fifth re-read in the past 10 years. An absolute comfort for me and has me in stitches!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jaimie and Laura record their separate adventures on the dating scene as they try to find someone they can spend their lives with. For singles in their late 20's, I think this hapless couple's feelings as they stagger gamefully on to the next disaster will probably stir some uncomfortable memories.....

The beginning is so obviously written by a man - it makes unfomfortable reading at times, rather than funny.Perhaps my discomfort is a woman thing.... But when Laura and Jamie meet, it becomes hilarious and I did spend a silly half hour this morning giggling so much my eyes were streaming and I had to take a break until I could see again. Which is far less painful and embarrassing than the unfortunate couple's second date....

Laura and Jamie are perfect and would certainly grace any romance. And just like any good story, the ending is a it.... hmmmm... But it has to end somewhere. This is not a girly book, not even a "chic lit" type book. It is funny and warm and crude and so worth reading!

Excellent fun Mr Spalding - I look forward to the next book of your's that I have ordered!

[Malia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This books sounded quite charming and just like what I wanted after reading a series of darker novels. Unfortunately, the weak smiles it elicited can be counted on one hand. Humor based on bodily functions (you can guess what I mean) really ought to be confined to C-list movies, if at all. Further, I found both characters inordinately shallow and quite self-obsessed, which made it difficult to want to connect with them. I will say, Spalding's idea of telling the stories of dating from the man's and the woman's side is clever, yet in practice, I'm afraid, it just wasn't for me.

Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com

[Meg · Rating 1 out of 5]

The problem with this is that it was incredibly crass, and did not have many redeeming qualities. The first two chapters, told by a man and a woman in their prospective journals, recounted two very depressing dating situations. In each, they got drunk and ended up having sex with someone that they regretted. I just couldn't continue.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book... Where do I start? This book made me laugh SO hard! I laughed so hard, people around me in the DMV felt the need to move seats to get further away from me. It was that funny. I cried. Read it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie and Laura are both looking for a new relationship. Both are nervous about the dating scene, as both are recovering from broken relationships. As you can imagine, dating can be hilarious - whether trying out speed dating or being set up on some truly horrific blind dates, and of course, adding a little alcohol (or a lot) to any situation can lead to some comical situations and bad decisions. While this book starts off with the disasters of Jamie and Laura dating other people, eventually they find each other. Things go well at first until one fateful night with some fajitas.

I really enjoy Nick Spalding's writing (though I do hope that body humor doesn't make an appearance in all his books). Yes, these books are predictable overall. You know the characters are going to get an HEA, but this is one of those circumstances where it is not the destination that should be focused on, but instead the journey. Each diary entry and blog post that Laura and Jaime shared on their way to their happiness was entertaining and made me laugh -- that's why I enjoy reading (or listening) to these books! And that's why I can't wait to dive into the next one.

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Despite my lack of girth and my malfunctioning erectile tissue, Isobel seems to be enjoying herself immensely. The filth spouting from her mouth makes me wish I'd brought a crucifix. "Oh, yes. Ram that hot pussy, you horny bastard". Yes, ma'am! Please don't hurt me"

Story: 8
First MC: 9
Second MC: 9
Secondary characters: 4
Mystery: 3
Sexual tension: 4
Humor: 6
Hotness: 3
Product placement: 6
Ridiculousness: 3
Annoying: 1
Audio: 10 (7h 36min)
To re-read: 8

The world of dating is cruel and full weirdos and toads. This is from both point of views, with a heavy dose of humor. Starts before they meet going on a series of bad dates, till bang! *see cover picture"

[Katka R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super, smiala som sa ako blázon. Nie je to nič pre naivné dušičky, ktoré si myslia, že ženy a hlavne muži myslia len na motýliky a srdiečka a božteky. Je to pre tých, ktorí chápu, že v ľudskom tele sú hormóny, ktoré fungujú nezávisle na tom, čo si vy myslíte a chcete, že k životu patria aj veci, o ktorých väčšina kníh mlčí, akoby to bolo tabu (chodenie na toaletu, nepríjemnosti ako vetry a hnačka, telesné tekutiny a pochody spojené s pohlavným stykom a pod.), že Murphyho zákony schválnosti sú naozaj reálne. Samozrejme, je to trošku absurdný príbeh, lebo v živote dvoch postáv sa stali trapasy, ktoré autor zozbieral zo spomienok mnohých svojich priateľov a známych, takže je tu skoncentrované dosť veľké množstvo absurdity. To však nič nemení na tom, že to bolo tak ľudsky vtipné a pravdivé, bez zbytočného filozofovania a pátosu. Odporúčam všetkým, ktorí už síce zložili ružové okuliare, ale predsa len by sa radi zasmiali a potešili kúskom romantiky bez servítok.

[Nay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book! It was rude, crude and hilarious (and oh so true regarding dating). I listened to the audio book and Napoleon Ryan was one of the best narrators I've heard (the female narrator was great as well).

I spent $3.99 total for the book AND the audio book for my kindle (ebook is on sale for $2 right now and immersion reading is $1.99) and got many hours of laugh-out-loud enjoyment.

This would be great to read, but if you have the opportunity to listen to the audio book, I HIGHLY recommend it!

I'm not usually big on romantic comedies, but I could read (listen to) books like this all day long!

[Paul Petsa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very slightly amusing but mostly dull.

This take on the dating scene/ romance novel was mildly amusing but I found it very predictable and the characters dull. As a male I found the main male protagonist ridiculously “bloke-ish” and the female protagonist written like a bloke’s fantasy woman. It’s put me off reading any other books by this author if I’m honest. I can’t imagine women reading this and liking the main character or men reading it and liking either of them.

[Ivana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe starts out a bit slow and maybe you're not sure if you're really going to like it, but soon it becomes pretty funny and you realize you do like it :).


P. S. There is this one scene, trust me you'll know which one it is when you read the book, where I was crying from laughter, so silly but so bloody brilliant ... :p

[Jules · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, it was funny in parts and the fact that it was in effect chic lit written by a male author was...different. I found the whole thing incredulous though - does this crap actually happen in real life?? Blah, definitely not my type of book.

[Plamena Anova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Не е шедьовър, но е лека, приятна, неангажираща и изключително забавна. Един от плюсовете е, че имаме и двете гледни точки.

[Штрумпфета (Štrumpfeta) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5*

[Dumpling Dumpling · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love...From Both Sides By Nick Spalding, Published 2012 Overseas And In Croatia By Znanje, 2017
Spaghetti With Minced Meat (Or Sans), Are My Anemia-Friendly Meal & Not An Intro To Sexual Intercourse

[Vanja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hm.
Prosječan suvremeni lagani ljubić smješten u London.
Ovo vidim skoro kao upute za dejtanje za moderne zaposlene ljude: "Ako si muško, izbaci sve svoje frustracije o ženama i spojevima na net. Ako si žensko - u dnevnik." Tako nekako.

I ne, nije mi uopće bilo duhovito. Ali baš nimalo. Čak ni lagani osmijeh. Situacije u koje upadaju... meni to ne sjeda. Ne mogu se na to smijati.
I dok mi je Laura još OK, Jamie mi je kao lik lagano pasivno-agresivna osoba. Čudan mi je i živcirao me. A možda mi je smetao ful muški ton cijele priče. Što god to bilo, znam da sam dosta preskakala i jedva sam čekala da ova tortura završi. :D

Žao mi je davati tek dvije zvjezdice, ali budući da 2 označavaju "it was ok" a 3 već "liked it", mislim da ipak naginjem ovom prvom, sorry.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nick Spalding invents characters which are like people I honestly wish I knew or lived in my life. Maybe I just covet that I want to be as clever, beguiling and funny as hell as his characters… If a genie gave me a wish, I would want Nick to write me my life over, especially back in my 20’s!

So said, this book is definitely one of his more “crude” and lad-like novels. But the humor is oversized & rakishly funny -especially with narrators Napoleon Ryan and Heather Wilds at the helm.

Definitely, recommend the audiobook version if you need to split your sides from laughing!

[J.S. Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure how it happened, but one day I happened along 'Checking Out' by Nick Spalding. I had nothing better to do with my time so I decided 'why not?'

Since that day I've read each and every one of his books. Yes, I do believe i have discovered my new favourite author! This guy is hilarious!

But please don't attempt to read his work in a public place as you'll possibly look like a complete nutcase when you start laughing out loud.

Absolutely brilliant!